(NewsNation) —Authorities have arrested a person of interest in the shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, and little is still known about him or why he attacked the executive.
Luigi Mangione, 26, was arrested in Pennsylvania on firearms charges and is described by police as a person of interest in the shooting. NewsNation is working to obtain more information on Mangione.
Thompson, 50, was shot just before 7 a.m. last week near a hotel on 54th Street between 6th and 7th Avenues, sources told NewsNation.
The gunman had been anticipating Thompson to arrive at the hotel for an investor’s meeting, police said.
This was a “premeditated, preplanned, targeted attack,” NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said during a news conference. The suspect was “lying in wait for several minutes.”
Luigi Mangione named person of interest in UnitedHealthcare shooting
The NYPD released Mangione’s name at a press conference on Monday.
Investigators said Mangione matched the description of the ID they were searching for and was found in possession of several items they believe will connect him to the shooting.
Those allegedly include a mask, firearm, suppressor and fake New Jersey ID that was used to check into a hostel in New York. Police described the firearm as consistent with the one used to shoot Thompson.
Investigators said the gun appears to be a ghost gun, a term for a gun with no serial number, which may have been made on a 3D printer and capable of firing a 9mm round.
Police also recovered a handwritten document that speaks to his motivation and mindset.
Mangione has no prior arrests on his record.
Who is Luigi Mangiano?
A person by the same name attended a private high school in Baltimore, Maryland, where they were a wrestler and graduated as valedictorian.
A spokesperson with the University of Pennsylvania confirmed that Mangiano attended and graduated with both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in engineering.
What do we know about the suspect in the UnitedHealthcare CEO shooting?
Upon locating the backpack, police discovered a jacket and monopoly money.
As Thompson arrived at the Hilton, the shooter stepped out from behind a car and fired multiple rounds, striking Thompson in the leg and back. Kenny said it appeared that the “gun malfunctions as he clears the jam and begins to fire again.”
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The New York Police Department released photos of a person of interest wanted for questioning in connection to the fatal shooting of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson. (NYPD) -
The New York Police Department released photos of a person of interest wanted for questioning in connection to the fatal shooting of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson. (NYPD)
The suspect then ran through an alley, hopped on an electric Citi Bike and rode through Central Park on Center Drive.
“I hear a shot,” a witness told NewsNation affiliate WPIX. “When I look around, I saw a guy with a gun. He shot three times, then he starts running.”
Investigators recovered several 9 mm shell casings from outside the hotel and a cell phone from the alleyway through which the suspect fled. They were also searching Thompson’s hotel room and interviewing his UnitedHealthcare colleagues, Kenny said.
While the shooting was targeted, police say they still don’t know a motive for the attack.
What is Luigi Mangione’s manifesto?
Investigators said a three-page, handwritten document was found that they described as a manifesto.
While they said they don’t believe there are specific threats to others in the document, they described it as showing “ill will” toward corporate America.
Authorities say it gives insight into the mindset of motives in what they described as a “targeted” killing.
How was Luigi Mangio found?
Police said old-fashioned detective work was used to locate Mangione.
The photo of a person of interest taken from surveillance video was shared across the country and a McDonald’s employee identified Mangione as a possible match.
Responding officers said Mangione was acting suspiciously and found that he had multiple IDs on him.
The NYPD said investigators combed through thousands of hours of video, processed DNA, fingerprints and IP addresses and deployed drones, K9 units, scuba divers and planes in their search.
